Moving from South Fulton, GA to Peoria, IL
It is 689 mi between South Fulton and Peoria — roughly 13h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
689 mi · 13h 10m by car · IL → KY → TN → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → KY → TN → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 75, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| South Fulton | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.8% moving from South Fulton to Peoria — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: South Fulton —, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | South Fulton | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.2" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 37.6" |
Annual temperature drops 10.9°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | South Fulton | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,157 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $81,798 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 8.8% less than South Fulton at the median — $81,798 → $58,716 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,760 | $41,540 |
| Production Occupations | 15,910 | $46,610 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,790 | $29,380 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,580 | $38,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 13,350 | $71,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 2.2 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.9°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in South Fulton vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $81,798 in South Fulton — a 28.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between South Fulton and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 63.6°F in South Fulton (10.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 2.2 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 50.4 in.
Is Peoria more expensive than South Fulton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 8.8% lower than South Fulton (91.231 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to South Fulton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,370 in the South Fulton MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from South Fulton to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 689 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Peoria, IL from South Fulton, GA?
The driving distance is 689 mi and the route typically takes 13h 10m via I 24 and I 75. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from South Fulton.
City profiles: South Fulton, GA · Peoria, IL.